Arts & Culture

Art attack

“There’s nothing to do!” said no one, ever, about arts, culture and nightlife in Asheville.

Art is everywhere here. On the sides of buildings. On the street corners. On the undersides of bridges. In studios in the River Arts District, where more than 200 artists work in paint, pencil, pottery, metal, fiber, glass, wax, paper and other mediums in historical buildings along a one-mile stretch of the French Broad River. Want a little whimsy with your cultural pursuits? Only-in-Asheville museums spotlight pinball machines, aluminum Christmas trees and classic motorcycles.

Performing arts enthusiasts can choose from several theater companies, the Asheville Symphony, Lyric Opera, Flat Rock Playhouse or the free outdoor summer Shakespeare series provided by the Montford Park Players.

There’s plenty of sonic exploration to be done, from Appalachian ballads and old-time picking to fierce funk, sultry soul, edgy hip-hop and far-flung world music. Check out dozens of clubs that feature live music, ranging from blues to jazz to rock & roll to country. Join the Friday night Drum Circle, an Asheville tradition.

Art

Asheville is supported by a rich community of artisans, guilds, galleries and craft shops that work to celebrate all types of art including traditional and contemporary works from American and Western North Carolina artists across a variety of mediums. Visitors have their choice to experience our arts culture by paying patronage to one of our esteemed museums, connecting with local artists in their galleries and work spaces, or through one of the many creative workshops offered in the area for a hands-on experience.

Take for example the working studios in the River Arts District, where you can spend a day or more visiting more than 200 artists working in former industrial and historical buildings along the French Broad River. While there are no official “open hours,” many artists are happy to have visitors watch them create in a variety of mediums from paint to pottery to paper.

With innovative programming, The Asheville Art Museum presents an outstanding collection of American art along with classes and workshops for all ages, lectures and performances. Also to add to your itinerary is the aSHEville Museum, a premier women’s cultural museum and the only one of its scope in the country. Exhibits celebrate the achievements, experiences and challenges of women and girls throughout the world.

Theater, Symphony & Dance

The play’s the thing at your choice of theater here in Asheville. A unique set of production companies specialize in performances that range from classic works to original pieces. Take in a Shakespeare performance outdoors during the summer months in a family-friendly atmosphere at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheater. Even your dog is welcome (just explain that “Out, damned spot” doesn’t mean him). For more year-round options, live performance-lovers have their choice of Community Theater, never-before-seen world premieres or a rich offering of comedies, musicals or dramas, depending on what title on the marquee strikes your fancy at North Carolina’s official state theater.

For musical connoisseurs, the Asheville Symphony presents seven full orchestra Masterworks concerts each year, combining old favorites and more recent works. Additionally, Asheville is the proud home of the Asheville Lyric Opera as well as other diverse arts and entertainment organizations.

Music

Asheville’s got rhythm, a rhythm rooted in old-time mountain music while encompassing the full spectrum of contemporary sound. Buskers play on every corner, wielding instruments from spoons to saxophones to didgeridoos, and the city’s heartbeat is a Friday-night Drum Circle, where you can join in by drumming, dancing or just watching.

Take in a show at one of our world-renowned live music clubs, or on summer Saturdays take your instruments, families, friends, lawn chairs and blankets to Shindig on the Green, combining performances and informal jam sessions around Pack Square Park. Whichever type of music you’re into, you’ll easily find a venue that plays to your passion.

Festivals

Asheville loves a party, and whatever you want to celebrate, from beer to music to honey, chances are there’s a festival for it.

Brew-themed bashes are on tap year-round. Get the chance to put your taste buds to work with festivals that feature everything from specialty beers to sours from both local brewers and national names, alike. And because nothing goes better with beer than bluegrass, you can experience the best of Southern Appalachia blues and brews at the many craft-themed events held throughout the year.

To get a taste of Asheville’s diverse roots, check out the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival every August that pays tribute to the region’s Scottish, English, Irish, Cherokee and African musical heritage. In September the Goombay Festival fills downtown Asheville with African-Caribbean food and the sounds of gospel, reggae, funk and soul.

Looking for even more unique experiences? During the depths of winter, the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival livens up downtown with innovative theater, dance, and spoken word performances. And in August Black Mountain’s annual Sourwood Festival celebrates the region’s prized sourwood honey.